5v5 Rec Hot Takes | Week 3

5v5 REC WEEK 3

Three weeks down and we have learned a lot! We are starting to see some teams separate themselves from the pack. Three games took place this week. Below, I will break down exactly what happened in those games and what I think those teams need to do going forward to be successful. Before we get to that, let me share with you a quick chat I was able to have with AJ Gomes,..

Q1: AJ you are one of FPF’s best defensive players. How do you use your defensive experience to call plays as a quarterback?

Gomes: “Honestly, it’s more playing with a great quarterback like Dan [Lazzara] that has helped me with my play calling. In terms of my defensive experience, I just try to avoid the other team’s “AJ”. Locate that great athlete who drops deep most of the time and avoid testing him.”

Q2: How has the transition to the 5v5 format been?

Gomes: “Personally, I love the 5v5 format. I coach a lot of flag football. I coach for a cegep and Team Quebec at the Canadian Nationals, and 5v5 is always the format. So, I’ve been really excited to finally try my plays and concepts as a player and not as a coach for once.”

Drawing Dead 6 vs Ambush 57

This Week 2 matchup, in my opinion, demonstrated the experienced vs the inexperienced. Ambush has many players that have played in this league for a long time. Drawing Dead, on the other hand, features mostly new players. Drawing Dead started with the ball in this game and was able to score on their opening drive, Ambush responded with a quick score and ran away with the game from that point on.

 Ambush’s, Owen Bujarsky has been incredible. In just 2 games Bujarsky has had 236 yards and 6 touchdowns. If Bujarsky can maintain this pace somehow, I think he can count on finding himself in the record books. On the defensive end, Ambush’s Anthony Drysdale has had 5 interceptions in 2 games. Keep it up, and Drysdale, too, might set some records. 

If there is one positive I can find for Drawing Dead, it is their attitude and willingness to try new things. In FPF, those who keep showing up with a positive mindset eventually always find success. So, to Drawing Dead, I say: keep trying new things, keep playing hard on every play and keep having fun. It always takes time.

Drawing Dead 6 vs Blue Ballers 45

Drawing Dead did not get easy matchups in Week 2. After a rough game against Ambush, they had to step on the field against Blue Ballers. Led by AJ Gomes, Blue Ballers is a strong team on both sides of the ball. Gomes was extremely efficient with the ball, completing 8 out of his 9 passing attempts for 4 touchdowns. His one incompletion was an interception that came on a deep shot late in the second half. Gomes spread the ball very well, having 4 different receivers catch touchdowns.

The positive Drawing Dead can take away from this game is the fact that they were able to cause an interception. They can build off that, compile what they are doing right, and slowly put things together in order to be effective on both sides of the ball.

Blue Ballers 20 vs Five Guys 12

I have been looking forward to this matchup since the schedule came out,  2 of the top 3 teams going head-to-head. Blue Ballers started with the ball in this game but weren’t able to capitalise on their first possession, leading Five Guys to take over after 4 plays. Five Guys opened their first drive with back-to-back completions, but eventually had to give the ball back again after only 4 plays. From both teams’ first drives, it was apparent that this game was going to be all about defence. 

For Blue Ballers, it was great to see Marvin Steinberg play his first game. Steinberg is a game-breaking player who can turn the tide of any game. He finished with 5 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. 

Five Guys’ quarterback Jared Buck played a very safe game. He never put the ball in harm’s way and exercised very creative play calling. Edouard Guimas had himself an impressive night, catching 9 of Bucks throws for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns. 

These teams will play each other again in Week 7. By that time, both of these quarterbacks will have sufficient 5v5 experience and I think they will put on a show. Stay tuned!

Power rankings

1- Blue Ballers

2- Ambush (prev 3)

3- Five Guys (prev 2)

4- Trailer Park Boys (prev 2)

5- Bleue Dry 7.1

6- Dragon Magique

7- Drawing Dead